Highlights

Brian Gibson“A Total Change in Lifestyle”: Lightning Bolt Bassist By Night, Video Game Designer By Day

Brian Gibson (the bassist half of TMT favorite Lightning Bolt) has been working as the “lead artist” for a new game being developed for Harmonix (makers of Guitar Hero and Rock Band). He’s interviewed here about “the history of Lightning Bolt, Brian’s Barkley character (the impetus for the band), Providence, RI’s burgeoning art and music scene, and get a look at Thumper, the upcoming, sure-to-be-a-hit game Brian’s creating as we type,” according to VBS.tv’s Motherboard series.

“Heaven”

Some white guys just have the funk in them. Case in point: Matthew Larkin Cassell. Although his name doesn’t quite flow, his beats do — in fact, they flow so effortlessly that Madlib unknowingly (and illegally) sampled his work for Madvillainy 2: The Madlib Remix. Somehow, someway, Cassell heard the sample and this eventually led to Stones Throw issuing a complete collection of his work. Don’t worry — it’s a happy story, and you can/should read it here.

“Acres of Skin”

Zs’ new album, New Slaves, is due May 11 on The Social Registry. But you knew that already because we posted a live video of “Acres of Skin” earlier this month. Why are we posting again? Because the Chocolate Grinder LOVES it some Zs.

Don’t Mind Control Variety Show [live soundboard recording]

Polyvinyl has made available a soundboard recording of Joan of Arc’s Don’t Mind Control Variety Show from earlier this year at Chicago’s Empty Bottle. The performance features over 30 musicians, including a surprise reunion set by Cap’n Jazz. You can download the 24-song set here.